Well, this one certainly is coming as a surprise. The NY Daily News reports that veteran Democratic Rep. Mike McNulty of New York will announce his retirement soon:
Several well-placed sources confirm that Rep. Mike McNulty, a veteran Democrat from the 21st DC, is poised to announce he will not seek re-election next year – a move that will likely touch off a heated primary battle. […]McNulty’s spokeswoman refused to confirm or deny the congressman’s plans, but did say he is scheduled to make an announcement about his future on Monday at the Crowne Plaza in Albany.
Among those mentioned as possible contenders for the seat, which is located in a Democratic district and very unlikely to change hands: Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Assemblyman Ron Canestrari and Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton, whose father, Samuel Stratton, held the seat until he withdrew from the race due to health issues.
If true, McNulty would be only the third Democrat to announce his retirement from the House next year — and the only one so far who is doing so without seeking to move on to a statewide office.
McNulty’s district is pretty safe territory for Democrats, with a PVI of D+8.7. Kerry won it by 12 points in 2004, and Gore by 17 points in ’00.
(H/T: The Albany Project)
Race Tracker: NY-21
UPDATE (David): McNulty made it official on Monday.
Anything about the possible candidates (should this story prove true)? In retrospect, I’m disappointed that I didn’t make more of an effort to learn about and get involved with the race in MA-05, especially given how close the primary was.
This is a blue seat in a blue state in what looks like it will be a blue year. We have, at least in theory, the opportunity to elect a real progressive here. Certainly any candidate must support the McGovern bill (McNulty did). I’d also like to see someone come out in favor of single-payer.
that Republicans will actually attempt to make a serious play at this district. I bet they will try to run Republican George Amedore, who was elected in an upset in a special Assembly election in August in a heavily Democratic district. He is also very wealthy and would be able to self finance his campaign.
This may actually be a good thing for Democrats. Without him running for the Assembly seat, Democrats will almost certainly pick it up. Also, this district is more Democratic than his Assembly seat is since it includes heavily Democratic and hyper-partisan(it even voted against Pataki in 2002) with its substantial minority population, which casts 58% of the districts vote. I doubt any Republican would break 45% here because if this.
I know absolutely nothing about Brian Stratton, but his father Sam was a “Boll Weevil” who supported Reagan’s policies in the early Eighties. There were only a handful of Boll Weevils from districts above the Mason-Dixon Line and Stratton was one of them. He also was a Vietnam hawk and he never met a weapons system he didn’t like.
This district is more Democratic than Tom Allen’s in Maine.
Democratic nominees may include State Assemblyman John McEneny or State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrati or State Senator Neil Breslin, whose district is drawn perfectly to fit in the 21st district like a puzzle.
Republicans may run one of their Schenectady Assemblymen, but Albany is so overly Democratic, it won’t really make a difference.
I was kinda hoping McNulty would hang on until redistricting and then the state could split his district between Gillibrand and Arcuri, making them safe, but oh well.
What should his long career in Congress be remembered for?